U.S. patent application number 13/930808 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for modular portable ultrasound systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Brodsky, Alice M. Chiang, David Maurer, William M. Wong. Invention is credited to Michael Brodsky, Alice M. Chiang, David Maurer, William M. Wong.
Application Number | 20140071789 13/930808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34652308 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140071789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brodsky; Michael ; et
al. |
March 13, 2014 |
MODULAR PORTABLE ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution
portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve
connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an
integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be
inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the
processor housing.
Inventors: |
Brodsky; Michael;
(Brookline, MA) ; Chiang; Alice M.; (Weston,
MA) ; Maurer; David; (Stoneham, MA) ; Wong;
William M.; (Milton, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brodsky; Michael
Chiang; Alice M.
Maurer; David
Wong; William M. |
Brookline
Weston
Stoneham
Milton |
MA
MA
MA
MA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
34652308 |
Appl. No.: |
13/930808 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10997062 |
Nov 24, 2004 |
|
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13930808 |
|
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60525208 |
Nov 26, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
367/11 ;
367/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/4438 20130101;
A61B 2560/0456 20130101; G01S 7/5208 20130101; G01S 15/89 20130101;
G01S 15/899 20130101; A61B 8/58 20130101; A61B 8/00 20130101; A61B
8/4427 20130101; A61B 8/4472 20130101; G01S 7/52082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
367/11 ;
367/7 |
International
Class: |
G01S 15/89 20060101
G01S015/89 |
Claims
1. A mobile cart system for a portable ultrasound device,
comprising: a handheld image processor housing, the housing
including a computer circuit board and a beamformer connected to a
port assembly for receiving a transducer connector, wherein the
transducer connector is connected to a transducer array with a
cable; a display mounted with the handheld image processor housing;
a first docking connector on the handheld image processor housing;
a base assembly having a second docking connector configured to
receive the image processor housing, the second docking connector
including an electrical interface; and a cart assembly on which the
base assembly is mounted such that the display with the docked
handheld image processor housing is operable for the display of
ultrasound images.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cable-less interface
configured to mate the handheld image processor housing to the cart
assembly.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an operator console
mounted on the cart assembly.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control panel
configured to receive user commands to control a plurality of
control panel elements.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart assembly further
comprises a plurality of control elements to actuate a display.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery within the
processor housing.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the display further comprises a
display having a resolution of at least 1024.times.768.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modular computer
circuit board within the processor housing.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modular transducer
connector.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modular transducer
array.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor
configured to identify a transducer array.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor
configured to display data on the display.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor
configured to receive data from a plurality of transducers during a
single ultrasound session.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control element
coupled to the base assembly to actuate a ultrasound imaging
operation using the image processor housing.
15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
transducer connection ports enabling a connection of the plurality
of transducer connectors.
16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transducer
connected to a high voltage driver to each transducer element of
the transducer.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the transducer is a
multi-channel device that transmits pulse signals.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the transducer is a
multi-channel device connected to a plurality of beamformer
integrated circuits.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the transducer is a
multi-channel device further comprising an individual receiving
channel configured to connect a plurality of transducers within a
common system, further comprising a transmit channel to receive a
transmit sequence.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the transducers further comprise
a plurality of high voltage multiplexer circuits.
21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
transducers connected to a multi-channel integrated circuit.
22. The system of claim 16, wherein the transducer further
comprises a 32 transducer element channel transmit and receive
integrated circuit.
23. The system of claim 16, wherein the transducer further
comprises a 64 transducer element channel transmit and receive
integrated circuit.
24. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transducer
connector having at least a 160 pin socket.
25. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transducer
connector having a latching mechanism.
26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transducer
connector integrated circuit having a one wire identification
chip.
27. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transducer
connector having a single wire connection to transmit data to a
memory.
28. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the transducer
connector configured to a serialized bidirectional data transfer
between the transducer connector and the base assembly.
29. The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer assembly further
comprises an operator interface.
30. The system of claim 15, wherein the transducer is connected to
a plurality of array of delay devices.
31. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a console having a
first USB hub connected to a USB port of the hand held image
processor housing and connected to a second USB hub in the cart
assembly.
32. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a console having a
first power port connected to a power port of the hand held image
processor housing and connected to a second power port in the cart
assembly.
33. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a console having a
first Ethernet port connected to a Ethernet port of the hand held
image processor housing and connected to a second Ethernet port in
the cart assembly.
34. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a console having a
first EKG port connected to a EKG port of the hand held image
processor housing and connected to a second EKG port in the cart
assembly.
35. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a Ethernet port and
a Svideo port, an EKG port and a microphone port.
36. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery module for
powering a electronic circuit.
37. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery module
wherein a maximum operational power is 12 watts.
38. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheels
attached to the cart assembly.
39. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transducer
connector having a lever locking mechanism.
40. The system of claim 1, wherein the base assembly further
comprises a plurality of planer sections connect by a hinge.
41. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart assembly further
comprises a transformer and an outlet such that the cart assembly
is operable for power transfer between a power source and the base
assembly.
42. The system of claim 1 wherein the cart system further comprises
a battery housing and a battery electrically connected to the cart
through a USB interface.
43. A mobile cart system for a portable ultrasound display and
processing device comprising: an image processor housing having a
first docking connector; a single board computer within the image
processor housing; a display having a touch screen graphical user
interface, the display being mounted within the image processor
housing over the single board computer; a virtual control panel to
actuate an ultrasound imaging operation using the display unit
image processor housing; a beamformer within the image processor
housing, the beamformer being connected to a port assembly for
receiving a transducer connector; a flash memory and a battery
within the image processor housing; a base assembly having a second
docking connector configured to receive the image processor
housing; and a cart on which the base assembly is mounted, the cart
assembly having a wheel assembly.
44. The system of claim 43, further comprising a cable-less
interface configured to mate the handheld image processor housing
to the cart assembly.
45. The system of claim 43, further comprising a plurality of
control elements coupled to the cart configured to activate the
display of image data on the display being mounted within the image
processor housing.
46. The system of claim 43, further comprising an operator console
coupled to the cart assembly.
47. The system of claim 43, further comprising a control panel
configured to receive a user command to control a plurality of
control panel elements.
48. The system of claim 43, wherein the cart assembly further
comprises a plurality of control elements to activate a
display.
49. The system of claim 43, wherein the display resolution further
comprises: a minimum display resolution of 1024.times.768.
50. The system of claim 43, further comprising a modular computer
circuit board.
51. The system of claim 43, further comprising transducer connector
further comprises: a modular transducer connector.
52. The system of claim 43, further comprising a transducer
array.
53. The system of claim 43, further comprising a processor
configured to identify transducer data.
54. The system of claim 43, further comprising a processor
configured to display data on the display.
55. The system of claim 43 further comprising a processor
configured to receive data from a plurality of transducers during a
ultrasound procedure.
56. The system of claim 43, further comprising a control element
coupled to the base assembly to actuate an ultrasound imaging
operation using the handheld image processor housing.
57. The system of claim 43, further comprising a plurality of
transducer connection ports enabling a connection of the plurality
of transducer connectors.
58. The system of claim 43, further comprising a port assembly
having at least a 160 pin socket.
59. The system of claim 43, further comprising a port assembly
having a latching mechanism.
60. The system of claim 43, further comprising a transducer
connection circuit having a one wire identification chip.
61. The system of claim 43, further comprising the transducer
connector having a single wire connection.
62. The system of claim 43, further comprising the transducer
connector configured to bidirectional transfer data in series
between the transducer connector and the base assembly.
63. The system of claim 43, further comprising a battery module for
powering an electronic circuit.
64. The system of claim 43, further comprising a battery module
wherein a maximum operational powers is 12 watts.
65. The system of claim 43, further comprising a plurality of
wheels coupled to the cart assembly.
66. The system of claim 43, further comprising the transducer
connector having a lock.
67. A method for configuring a mobile cart system for a portable
ultrasound device comprising: configuring a handheld image
processor housing, including a computer circuit board and a beam
former connected to a port assembly for receiving a transducer
connector, wherein the transducer connector is connected to a
transducer array with a cable; mounting a display with the handheld
image processor housing; coupling a first docking connector on the
hand held image processor housing; coupling a second docking
connector on a base assembly; configuring the base to receive the
image processor housing, the second docking connector, including an
electrical interface; configuring a cart assembly to receive the
base assembly such that the base assembly is mounted with the
docked handheld image processor operable for the display of
ultrasound images.
68. The method of claim 67, further comprising: configuring the
mobile cart system for a stationary use.
69. The method of claim 67, further comprising configuring a
interface to provide an electrical connection between the cart
assembly and the portable ultrasound device.
70. The method of claim 67, further comprising docking the portable
ultrasound device to the cart assembly wherein the portable
ultrasound device is orientated in a display accessible
position.
71. The method of claim 67, further comprising configuring a
portable ultrasound device sub systems to utilize power from a
common source coupled to the portable ultrasound device.
72. The method of claim 67, further comprising mounting an operator
console on the cart assembly.
73. The method of claim 67, further comprising mounting a control
panel on the cart configured to receive a user command.
74. The method of claim 67, further comprising mounting a plurality
of control elements to actuate a display.
75. The method of claim 67, further comprising configuring a
processor to identify a transducer connector data.
76. The method of claim 67, further comprising configuring a
processor to identify a transducer connector data or a calibration
data via a one wire identification integrated circuit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/997,062 filed Nov. 24, 2004, and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/525,208 filed Nov. 26, 2003 entitled: MODULAR
PORTABLE ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional ultrasound imaging systems typically include a
hand-held probe coupled by cables to a large rack-mounted console
processing and display unit. The probe typically includes an array
of ultrasonic transducers which transmit ultrasonic energy into a
region being examined and receive reflected ultrasonic energy
returning from the region. The transducers convert the received
ultrasonic energy into low-level electrical signals which are
transferred over the cable to the processing unit. The processing
unit applies appropriate beam forming techniques to combine the
signals from the transducers to generate an image of the region of
interest.
[0003] Typical conventional ultrasound systems include a transducer
array each transducer being associated with its own processing
circuitry located in the console processing unit. The processing
circuitry typically includes driver circuits which, in the transmit
mode, send precisely timed drive pulses to the transducer to
initiate transmission of the ultrasonic signal. These transmit
timing pulses are forwarded from the console processing unit along
the cable to the scan head. In the receive mode, beamforming
circuits of the processing circuitry introduce the appropriate
delay into each low-level electrical signal from the transducers to
dynamically focus the signals such that an accurate image can
subsequently be generated.
[0004] There still remains a need to provide stand-alone processing
ultrasound units with the necessary hardware, for example,
connectors to enable truly portable ultrasound systems that can
function on an independent platform. There is a need for an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly with an electrical
connector of minimal mechanical complexity, size and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The system and method of the present invention includes a
hand held transducer probe that is connected by wire or wireless
connection to a lightweight processing unit including a housing and
internal circuitry for processing signals received from the probe.
In a preferred embodiment the processing unit housing includes a
display and manual and/or virtual controls that can control the
display and processor operation, and a battery providing power to
the processor housing and the transducer array. A preferred
embodiment includes a console of a cart system to provide control
features of the modular system.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor
housing includes a transmit/receive (T/R) chip that communicates
with the transducer array. A system controller communicates with
the T/R chip, a local memory, a preamplifier/TGC chip, a charge
domain beamformer circuit and a standard high speed communication
interface such as IEEE 1394 USB connection to a system
processor.
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a connector
system to secure the cable from the transducer probe to the
processor housing. The connector system preferably uses a smaller
lightweight connector than prior art systems yet meeting the
standard shielding and mechanical strength and integrity
requirements for medical ultrasound imaging systems.
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a circuit
that identifies the type of transducer array that has been
connected to the housing. The circuit can be a single integrated
circuit contained in the housing connector module that communicates
with the processor and can include a memory storing calibration
data for each probe. The display screen will display probe type
information for the user. The connector system can include a
connector actuator or lock that can be manually actuated by the
user to secure the male and female connector elements. In a
preferred embodiment a lever is rotated from a first position to a
second position such that a cam element attached to the lever mates
with a catch element on the cable connector element attached to the
probe cable. The lever pulls the connector in and also operates to
push the connector element out when actuated in the reverse
direction thereby reducing the strain often caused by the user in
pulling the cable connector element out of the housing connector
element.
[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method for
performing an ultrasound scan on a region of interest of a patient
includes connecting a probe to a portable processing unit with a
connector system, locking the connector in place, employing the
onboard identification circuit to identify the probe and display
probe information on the display prior to the scan, entering
patient information and performing the scan. Another preferred
embodiment of the invention includes a cart system in which the
processor housing and display can be connected or docked with a
mobile station or cart having a control panel and a port assembly
for receiving one or more transducer probes.
[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
system and method for ultrasound imaging will be apparent from the
following more particular description of preferred embodiments of
the system and method as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which like reference characters refer to the same parts
throughout the different views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable ultrasound imaging system
including a hand-held probe in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a modular portable system having a
hand-held ultrasound transducer connected to a processing and
display unit in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a single board computer and beamformer
circuits that form the processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of preferred
embodiments of a modular, portable ultrasound system including a
hand-held transducer assembly interfacing with a processing unit
having the beamformer electronics in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4C illustrates a single chip, N-channel,
time-multiplexed multiple beamforming processor with on-chip
apodization and bandpass filter.
[0016] FIG. 5A illustrates a view of a stand alone portable
ultrasound processing and display unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded view of the ultrasound
processing and display unit shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a 10-inch and 12-inch display,
respectively, that can be included in an ultrasound stand-alone
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of an ultrasound processing and
display unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate views of a single board computer
included in the ultrasound stand alone unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the configuration of the
computer boards in a stand alone ultrasound unit in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate views of the ultrasound processing
unit configured for different applications such as different
processing unit configured in different applications such as
different original engineering manufacture (OEM) configurations and
stand alone configurations in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing of an analog board
included in an ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a digital board and
a power supply daughter board included in an ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate the pin assignment of an
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and an
electrically programmable read only memory integrated circuits,
respectively, that can be included in the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a semiconductor one-wire identification
integrated circuit chip installed in transducer assemblies in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 15A illustrates a view of a graphical user interface
display screen showing the appropriate transducer parameters upon
connection of a transducer probe with the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 15B illustrates in tabular from characteristics of the
ID chip system.
[0029] FIG. 15C illustrates a process sequence using the ID
Chip.
[0030] FIG. 15D shows a circuit diagram for a multiple connector
assembly in accordance with the invention.
[0031] FIG. 15E illustrates a schematic circuit diagram for a
multiplexed multiconnector system for transducer arrays.
[0032] FIG. 15F illustrates another preferred schematic circuit
diagram for a multiconnector system for transducer arrays.
[0033] FIG. 16 illustrates an ultrasound processing unit and an
ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the ultrasound transducer
connector assembly illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate detailed views of the
ultrasound transducer connector assembly including sectional views
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 20 illustrates a view of an ultrasound processing unit
with an ultrasound transducer connector assembly having a lock in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0038] FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a close-up view of an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly inserted into a ultrasound
processing unit and a cut-away view of the inserted ultrasound
transducer connector assembly, respectively, showing a sliding
lever in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly inserted into an ultrasound
processing unit having a lever to secure the connector assembly in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate further details of the lever
and an exploded view of the lever assembly of an ultrasound
processing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate different views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 25 illustrates a view of the ultrasound processing unit
showing a partial view of the lever for the transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate further views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate views of ultrasound processing
unit housing that accommodates an ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 27C illustrates a view of a computer board installed in
the housing illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate views of an ultrasound transducer
connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic view of an ultrasound system
including an ultrasound console having a remote hardware keypad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 30 illustrates the pin configuration of a connector
board in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0049] FIGS. 31A-31F illustrate preferred embodiments of a modular
ultrasound imaging system in accordance with the invention.
[0050] FIGS. 32A-32D illustrate a preferred cart system for use in
embodiment of a conjunction with a modular ultrasound imaging
system in accordance with the inventors.
[0051] FIG. 33 illustrates a modular system having a plurality of
transducer connectors.
[0052] FIG. 34 is a schematic circuit diagram of a modular cart
system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0053] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Preferred embodiments of the present invention include
modular, portable ultrasound systems that can be used as a
stand-alone system. The preferred embodiments integrate the display
with the processing unit which is then connected to different
ultrasound transducer probes. Preferred embodiments as described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/386,360, filed on Mar. 11,
2003, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by
reference, include a display integrated on the ultrasound
transducer. The operator can easily view the image and operate the
probe or scan head, as well as perform operations in the same local
area with the other hand. The data/video processing unit is also
compact and portable, and may be placed close to the operator or
alternatively at a remote location. Optionally, in another
embodiment, a display is also integrated into the data/video
processing unit. The processing unit also provides an external
monitor port for use with traditional display monitors.
[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a portable
ultrasound imaging system 10 including a hand-held ultrasound
transducer with integrated display and a portable processing unit.
The ultrasound transducer 14 comprises any of the standard
ultrasound transducer arrays. The interface 12 delivers signals
from the array 14 to an interface processor housing 16 that can
include a system controller and beamformer as described in detail
below. A second cable interface 11 can include a Firewire (IEEE
1394) connection delivering a beamformed representation for further
processing to a personal computer 15.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a modular portable system having an
ultrasound transducer connected to a processing and display unit in
accordance with the present invention. In this preferred
embodiment, the video and power wires for the display are
integrated with the transducer data wires for the transducer to
form a single cable assembly 24 that connects the ultrasound
transducer to the portable data/video processing unit 26.
[0057] The data/video processing unit 16 is compact and portable.
In a preferred embodiment, the beamformer electronics is an
integral part of the processing unit and communicating with a
single board computer 110 using a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable as
illustrated in FIG. 4A.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates the single board computer and beamformer
circuits that form the processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B
illustrate block diagrams of preferred embodiments of a modular,
portable ultrasound system including a hand-held transducer
assembly interfacing with a processing unit in accordance with the
present invention.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the beamformer electronics is
moved inside the processing unit to further reduce the size and
weight of the hand-held transducer as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The
processing unit 138 can comprise a compact single board 44 computer
and the beamformer electronics as illustrated in FIG. 3. The
beamformer electronics includes a digital processing printed
circuit board and an analog processing printed circuit board 48.
The beamforming electronics communicates with the single board
computer via a Firewire (IEEE 1394) chip.
[0060] An operating environment for the system includes a
processing system with at least one high speed processing unit and
a memory system. In accordance with the practices of persons
skilled in the art of computer programming, the present invention
is described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of
operations or instructions that are performed by the processing
system, unless indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations or
instructions are sometimes referred to as being
"computer-executed", or "processing unit executed."
[0061] It will be appreciated that the acts and symbolically
represented operations or instructions include the manipulation of
electrical signals by the processing unit. An electrical system
with data bits causes a resulting transformation or reduction of
the electrical signal representation, and the maintenance of data
bits at memory locations in the memory system to thereby
reconfigure or otherwise alter the processing unit's operation, as
well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where
data bits are maintained are physical locations that have
particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties
corresponding to the data bits.
[0062] The data bits may also be maintained on a computer readable
medium including magnetic disks, optical disks, organic disks, and
any other volatile or non-volatile mass storage system readable by
the processing unit. The computer readable medium includes
cooperating or interconnected computer readable media, which exist
exclusively on the processing system or is distributed among
multiple interconnected processing systems that may be local or
remote to the processing system.
[0063] In an embodiment, the compact single board computer has a
printed circuit board size of a 51/4 inch disk drive or a 31/2 inch
disk drive. One embodiment of the present invention uses a
NOVA-7800-P800 single board computer in a 51/4 inch form factor,
with a low power Mobile Pentium-III 800 MHz processor, 512 Mbytes
of memory, and has on board interface ports for Firewire (IEEE
1394), local area network (LAN), Audio, integrated device
electronics (IDE), personal computer memory card international
association (PCMCIA) and Flash memories.
[0064] For some dedicated applications, the entire ultrasound
system includes the hand-held ultrasound transducer with an
integrated display and the portable data/video processing unit. The
system can be operated without any controls other than power
on/off. For other applications, the system is equipped with an
optional operator interface such as buttons and knobs, either on
the processing unit, or integrated in the transducer assembly, or
both. The processing unit can provide an additional video output to
drive an external monitor, or optionally an integrated display on
the processing unit itself.
[0065] The microprocessor in FIG. 4B provides the functionality for
down conversion, scan conversion, M-mode, Doppler processing, color
flow imaging, power Doppler, spectral Doppler and post signal
processing.
[0066] FIG. 4C illustrates a single chip, N-channel
time-multiplexed beamforming processor with on-chip apodization and
bandpass filter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Beamforming circuits in accordance with
preferred embodiments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,304,
issued on Apr. 30, 2002, the entire teachings of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0067] FIG. 5A illustrates a view of a stand alone portable
ultrasound processing and display unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit
includes a motherboard single board computer. In a preferred
embodiment, the motherboard has the following requirements that are
fulfilled by a Pentium M, 512 MB of RAM or more, 10 GB hard drive,
hard drive-free configuration. It includes a flash memory
(approximately 1 GB) with a larger RAM (approximately 1 GB). The
display that can be integrated into the processing unit may include
a 10-inch or 12-inch display, having 1024.times.768 resolution, 200
Nits brightness as a minimum (after touch screen), 250 desirable,
400:1 contrast ratio, and have a large viewing angle. The
ultrasound module can be connected using a 6 pin Firewire
connection. The ultrasound module operates with 12 watt as maximum
power.
[0068] The graphical user interface includes a touch screen having
no drift, and providing for finger operation (no RF pens). The
ports for the processing unit include at least 2 universal serial
bus (USB) ports to connect an external keyboard, mouse, CDW, and an
Ethernet port. The processing unit provides for battery operation,
two hours minimum at peak processing power of 7 watt required for
ultrasound.
[0069] A preferred embodiment of the processing unit provides for
modularity with a removable processing unit 208 residing inside the
ultrasound system. An ultrasound control pad module 212 and custom
keyboard 204 can be made removable or configurable. The module 200
itself can also be used as an outside remote control module (USB or
wireless) or as an OEM building block. The display module 202 can
be made configurable (10-inch or 12-inch), Sun readable or
configurable with different platforms. The module has a stand, as
illustrated in FIG. 7. There is a protective cover for the display
and controls in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The unit may be re-used as a stand. A probe
holder may be located on the side or on the top of the unit. In
alternate preferred embodiments, the probe holder may also be
engaged from the side when needed. The probe holder is easy to
clean. A handle is provided for ease of carrying the unit. A
universal mount that accommodates different holders, for example,
tripods, arms, stands, is provided in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound unit can be
docked and is rugged.
[0070] FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded view of the ultrasound
processing and display unit shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The unit 200
includes the modular display 202, the ultrasound processing unit
208 that includes the beamforming circuitry, a keyboard 204, a
control pad module 204, a battery module 206 and the single board
computer 214.
[0071] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a 10-inch and 12-inch display,
respectively, that can be included in an ultrasound stand-alone
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As described hereinbefore, the display in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a
resolution of 1024.times.768 and a large viewing angle.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a side view of an ultrasound processing and
display unit having a stand in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrates views of a single board computer
included in the ultrasound stand alone unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A illustrates
a view of a single board computer 270 used in the ultrasound
portable unit. The interface ports of the single board are
illustrated in detail in FIG. 8B. The interfaces include video
graphics adapter (VGA) 281, a local area network (LAN) interface
282, a IEEE 1394 interface 283 and a PS/2 bus interface 284 which
has a microchannel architecture. Further, the interfaces include a
universal serial bus (USB) interface 285, a COM1 interface 286
which is a serial communications port, a Personal Computer Memory
Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface 297 for PC-cards
and a CFII interface 288. FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the
configuration 310 of the computer boards in a stand alone
ultrasound unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. An analog board 312 is spaced from a digital
board 322. A transducer socket 314 having a 160 pin socket is
provided. A power supply daughter board 320 is provided and spaced
from the analog and digital boards by a separator 316. A plurality
of interfaces are also provided, for example, IEEE 1394 interface
318, and a Deutsch Industrie Norm (DIN) connector 324 which is a
multipin connector conforming to the specifications of the German
National Standards Organization.
[0074] FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate views of the ultrasound processing
unit configured for different applications such as different
processing unit configured in different applications such as
different original engineering manufacture (OEM) configurations and
stand alone configurations in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. A preferred embodiment
includes the motherboard, display driver and ultrasound interface
in the housing with the provisions for plug-in transducer arrays.
An alternate embodiment includes stand-alone unit with a plug-in
transducer array.
[0075] FIG. 10A illustrates an OEM configuration having a basic
aluminum box with mounting holes. FIG. 10B illustrates the
ultrasound processor inside a housing. FIG. 10C illustrates the
ultrasound processing unit inside a PC drive bay. FIG. 10D
illustrates an OEM configuration with a multiplexor. FIG. 10E is a
view of a stand-alone configuration having an OEM housing, a single
board computer, a LCD, and a battery module. FIG. 10F illustrates
the processing unit that can be connected in an OEM configuration
or be a stand-alone unit.
[0076] An interlock is included to sense if a probe is present and
to determine the calibration coefficient in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. A one wire
identification (ID) chip for identifying the transducer is included
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The computer can be pre-programmed with signal conditioning for
each probe in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. By effectively connecting the probe, the circuit
identifies the probe and accesses the pre-programmed conditions for
that probe. Calibration coefficients are stored for each probe in
the memory of the processing unit. The system can include a
multiplexor to provide multiple connection ports that allows for
the connection of two or three probes to one system using a
multiplexed interface.
[0077] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing of an analog board
included in an ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. A transducer
connector is accommodated in region 452.
[0078] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a digital board 470
and a power supply daughter board 472 included in an ultrasound
processing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Also provided is a mini-DIN interface 474, and
IEEE 1394 interfaces 476, 484.
[0079] FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate the pin assignment of an
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and an
electrically programmable read only memory integrated circuits,
respectively, that can be included in the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0080] FIG. 13A illustrates a 4096 bits, one-wire EEPROM that
assures absolute identity as no two parts are alike. It includes a
built-in multi-drop controller. The memory is partitioned into
sixteen 256-bit pages for packetizing data. This EEPROM identifies
and stores relevant information about each ultrasound transducer to
which it is associated. It is easily interfaced with using a single
port pin of a microcontroller. The 4 Kb, one-wire EEPROM can be,
for example, but not limited to a DS2433 circuit provided by Dallas
Semiconductor.
[0081] FIG. 13B illustrates, for example, a DS2502/5/6 UNW
UniqueWare.TM. add only memory chip provided by Dallas
Semiconductor. The EPROM can be a 1024 bits, 16 kbits or 65 kbits
memory and can communicate with the economy of one signal plus
ground.
[0082] Preferred embodiment of the medical ultrasound systems use
many transducers depending upon the application. These systems also
identify which transducer is attached at any given time in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0083] In addition to identifying the transducer type, preferred
embodiments also identify the individual probe of the same type,
such that calibration information can be associated with a
particular probe. The one-wire ID circuits described with respect
to FIGS. 13A and 13B provide identification of each transducer and
corresponding calibration information by installing the
semiconductor one-wire identification chips in each transducer
assembly as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 illustrates a semiconductor
one-wire identification integrated circuit chip installed in
transducer assemblies in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0084] Each ID chip has a unique serial number, plus a
writable/readable memory for storage of calibration or additional
identification data. In an ultrasound application of a preferred
embodiment, the serial number and probe type information are
accessed from memory upon probe insertion. The information is used
to call up the appropriate transducer parameters and the new probe
is then made available to the user on the display screen, as shown
in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A illustrates a view of a graphical user
interface display screen showing the appropriate transducer
parameters upon connection of a transducer probe with the
ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0085] In addition to the identification, each transducer is unique
and it is desirable to calibrate out these differences in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Therefore, software executable instructions are provided by the
ultrasound applications control for storing and retrieving
individual calibration data to the ID chip. Examples of calibration
differences can include electrical, acoustic and mechanical
differences. These may be used, but are not limited to, procedures
such as mounting of needle guides for biopsy, three-dimensional
positioning sensing devices and transducer element variation
calibration.
[0086] A method of probe type identification is usually provided by
using multiple connector pins which are tied to logic zero or one.
To differentiate between 32 probe types, connector wires are
required. In the one-wire method, only a single wire is required,
and the data is passed between the probe and the host system
serially.
[0087] The invention incorporates a read/writable non-volatile
memory chip (ID chip) in the transducer termination board, as shown
in FIG. 14. An example of the memory chip is the Dallas
Semiconductor DS2433 One-wire Identification chip with 4096 bits of
non-volatile storage. Other non-volatile read/writable memory can
be used, but the One-wire chip has the advantage of using only one
signal wire and one ground wire, and does not require additional
pins for power supply.
[0088] The memory of the ID chip is organized as 128 words of 32
bits wide, divided into four segments: The IDENTIFICATION segment,
the USAGE segment, the FACTORY segment and the USER segment shown
in FIG. 15B.
[0089] The IDENTIFICATION segment holds the information which
identifies the transducer type and hardware revision and serial
number. The Ultrasound Application reads these information when a
transducer is attached to a system and performs the appropriate set
up based on the transducer type and hardware revisions. This
segment is written at the factory and is not modifiable by the
user.
[0090] The USAGE segment holds the statistical information about
the usage of the transducer. The first entry logs the serial number
and date when the transducer is first used outside of the factory
(the Inauguration System Serial # and Date code). The second and
third entries in this segment logs the serial number and the date
of the two systems most recently the transducer was attached to.
The Date Code values are Julian date of the connection date minus
the Julian date of Jan. 1, 2000. The 16 bit date code field can
store dates of more than a century starting from the year 2000. The
16 but date code filed can store dates of more than a century
starting from the year 2000. The fourth word of the USAGE segment
is a counter which increments once per 5 minutes when a transducer
is attached and activated in a system. These statistical
information are updated in the field by the Ultrasound Application
software, and is not modifiable by the user. The values are set to
zeros before the transducer leaves the factory. These statistical
information are read and recorded when a transducer is returned to
the factory for service.
[0091] The FACTORY segment holds the factory calibration
information for the transducer. Examples of factory calibration
data are the per element gain and propagation delay fine
adjustments. When a transducer is attached and activated by the
Ultrasound Application, the application first reads the transducer
ID information from the IDENTIFICATION segment and loads up the
appropriate set ups for that particular transducer type. The
application then reads the FACTORY segment and applies the fine
adjustments to the transducer set up. This segment is written at
the factory and is not modifiable by the user.
[0092] The USER segment is reserved for the end user to store
post-factory calibration data. Example of post-factory calibration
data are position information of needle guide brackets and 3-D
position sensing mechanism. The USER segment is the only segment
which the user application software can modify.
[0093] FIG. 15C shows the software flow-chart of a typical
transducer management module within the ultrasound application
program.
[0094] When a TRANSDUCER ATTACHE event is detected, the Transducer
Management Software Module first reads the Transducer Type ID and
hardware revision information from the IDENTIFICATION Segment. The
information is used to fetch the particular set of transducer
profile data from the hard disk and load it into the memory of the
application program. The software then reads the adjustment data
from the FACTORY Segment and applies the adjustments to the profile
data just loaded into memory. The software module then sends a
TRANSDUCER ATTACHE Message to the main ultrasound application
program, which uses the transducer profile already loaded and
perform ultrasound imaging. The Transducer Management Software
Module then waits for either a TRANSDUCER DETACH event, or the
elapse of 5 minutes. If a TRANSDUCER DETACH is detected, the
transducer profile data set is removed from memory and the module
goes back to wait for another TRANSDUCER ATTACHE event. If a 5
minutes time period expires without TRANSDUCER DETACH, the software
module increments the Cumulative Usage Counter in the USAGE
Segment, and waits for another 5 minutes period or a TRANSDUCER
DETACH event.
[0095] There are many types of ultrasound transducers. They differ
by geometry, number of elements, and frequency response. For
example, a linear array with center frequency of 10 to 15 MHz is
better suited for breast imaging, and a curved array with center
frequency of 3 to 5 MHz is better suited for abdominal imaging.
[0096] It is often necessary to use different types of transducers
for the same or different ultrasound scanning sessions. For
ultrasound systems with only one transducer connection, the
operator will change the transducer prior to the start of a new
scanning session.
[0097] In some application, it is necessary to switch among
different types of transducers during one ultrasound scanning
session. In this case, it is more convenient to have multiple
transducers connected to the same ultrasound system, and the
operator can quickly switch among these connected transducers by
hitting a button on the operator console, without having to
physically detach and re-attach the transducers, which takes a
longer time.
[0098] Traditionally, the switching among different connected
transducers is implemented either by arrays of relays, or by arrays
of high voltage Multiplexer integrated circuits. (switching between
two 128-elements transducers). These relays or MUXIC's form an
additional layer of circuits between the ultrasound
transmitter/receiver circuits and the transducer connectors.
[0099] The present invention utilizes a system that performed a
method of multi-transducer switching using multiple
Transmit/Receive integrated circuits, without the use of relays or
commercial multiplexer integrated circuits. A typical two
transducer switching circuit using an integrated circuit in
accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 15D.
[0100] The Transmit/Receive integrated circuit includes multiple
channel devices with a programmable waveform generator and high
voltage driver for each transducer element, and a receive routing
circuit for each element pair. The receive output is programmable
to receive from transducer element A or B of the element pair, or
turned off. The outputs of multiple integrated circuits are wired
together. Connection to different transducers in the same system is
achieved by programming the On/Off states of individual receive
channels among the multiple integrated circuits, and by programming
the transmit sequence of each of the transmit channels on all of
the integrated circuits.
[0101] One advantage of this approach is the higher intergration
over the use of commercial available relays and multiplexer chips,
especially when compared to a relay switching approach, because
relays are mechanical devices and are generally larger. There are
two versions of the these, Transmit/Receive integrated circuits,
one version has 64 transducer element channels and another version
has 32 transducer channels. This high channel count integration of
at least 32 channels combined with the small high pin density
transducer connector, allows implementation of a multiple
transducer configuration in a very compact size.
[0102] Another advantage is the elimination of an extra circuit
layer, when compared to the multiplexer chips approach. Typical
commercial multiplexer chips suitable for ultrasound channel
switching typically have an ON resistance of greater than 20 ohms
(example, Supertex HV20220), and therefore have measurable
attenuation of both the transmit and receive signals compared with
a direct connection in a single transducer system. The present
approach has identical transmit/receive circuit for single
transducer system, or multiple transducers system, with no
additional signal attenuation resulting from adding the multiple
transducers switching function.
[0103] Yet another advantage of the present approach is the added
ability to operate a very large element count transducer with a
true full transmit aperture. For example, a 128 channel ultrasound
engine can operate a 768 element linear array by adding a one to
six multiplexer array. A traditional implementation using relays of
multiplexers can switch among six segments of 128 elements each
across the entire 768 elements at any one time. The present
approach will have 768 programmable transmitter, and therefore can
use any size of transmit aperture anywhere on transducer array,
including using the entire 768 element at the same time. The
ability to use larger than 128 element transmit aperture allows the
ultrasound system to have better penetration and resolution,
compared to systems that are limited to 128.
[0104] FIG. 16 illustrates an ultrasound processing unit and an
ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasound transducer is
coupled to its associated ultrasound processing unit 572 via a
cable, which is routed into an ultrasound transducer connector
assembly 574 and, mates with a corresponding terminal located on
ultrasound console. A sliding lever is included to secure the
connector to the processing unit.
[0105] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound transducer
connector assembly 18 shows a connector housing. FIG. 18 is an
exploded view of the ultrasound transducer connector assembly
illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. An electrical connector 606
may have as many as 160 contacts. The connector assembly housing
604, 610 interfaces with a cable 602 which in turn is coupled to an
ultrasound transducer.
[0106] FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate detailed views of the
ultrasound transducer connector assembly including sectional views
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A cable 640 is attached to a first end of connector housing element
630. A close-up view 620 of connector assembly element 620 is seen
in FIG. 19A. A side view 650 is shown in FIG. 19C.
[0107] The movable connector component has electrical contacts that
mate with the stationary connector component having stationary
electrical contacts on the processing unit. For mating, the movable
connector component is brought towards the stationary connector
component. Initially, there is a gap separating the movable
electrical contacts from stationary electrical contacts, so that
the contacts are not subjected to any friction or insertion force.
A locking mechanism draws in the movable connector component which
is received in a recess of the stationary connector component. The
lever slides from right to left causing the movable connector
component to close into the recess and contact the corresponding
stationary electrical contacts to make an electrical connection.
The ultrasound transducer connectors minimize the physical stress
exerted upon their electrical contacts, thus avoiding wear and
potential damage to the contacts.
[0108] FIG. 20 illustrates a view of an ultrasound processing unit
with an ultrasound transducer connector assembly 674 having a lock
672 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a close-up view of an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly inserted into a ultrasound
processing unit and a cut-away view of the inserted ultrasound
transducer connector assembly, respectively, showing a sliding
lever in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The connector is drawn in the end of the housing when
inserted and locked and is ejected when detached. The connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention allows for a one-hand operation. A preferred embodiment
of the present invention includes a sash lock similar to a window
lock. The lever includes a lever action which also yields a
significant mechanical advantage as it translates insertion force
to a lateral action of the lock. The lever for the connector
assembly is resistant to abusive use as it has rails which act with
the lever to eliminate twists applied to the connector. A rotating
catch is used to eject the connector after use.
[0109] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly inserted into an ultrasound
processing unit 700 having a lever 732 shown in the detailed
portion 720, to secure the connector assembly in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0110] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate further details 730 of the
lever 732 and an exploded view 740 of the lever assembly of an
ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The lever assembly includes a
spring 742 which being a resilient member, assists in drawing the
lever 744 into the locked position.
[0111] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate several views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Circuit boards are mounted in FIGS. 24B and 24C along
with the connector assembly in accordance with the invention.
[0112] FIG. 25 illustrates a view of the ultrasound processing unit
800 showing a partial view of the lever for the transducer
connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0113] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate further views 810, 820 of the
ultrasound processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer
connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0114] FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate views 830, 840 of ultrasound
processing unit housing that accommodates an ultrasound transducer
connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0115] FIG. 27C illustrates views 850, 860 of a computer board
installed in the housing illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0116] FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate views of an ultrasound transducer
connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. In a preferred embodiment the maximum voltage of the
ultrasound transducer connector is 100 volts. The connector can
include 160 or 240 circuits. The base plate protects the pins and
rises up into position during printed circuit board insertion. In
one embodiment the connector assembly includes, but is not limited
to, a Molex.RTM. 53941 right angle docking station board-to-board
shielded plug.
[0117] FIG. 29 illustrates a view of an alternate embodiment of an
ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with the present
invention. In this preferred embodiment the connector assembly
includes, but is not limited to, a Molex.RTM. 54145 right angle
docking station board-to-board shielded receptacle.
[0118] FIG. 30 illustrates the pin configuration of a connector
board in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The probe present pin is an interlock to indicate that a
probe has been inserted correctly.
[0119] FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic view of an ultrasound system
including an ultrasound console having a remote hardware keypad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The system includes a console 950 connected with a USB/PS/2
interface to a host computer 960.
[0120] FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic diagram of an ultrasound
console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. A universal serial bus (USB) console is used for a
remote hardware keypad. This hardware user interface in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention displaces a
software graphical user interface and allows any ultrasound imaging
control function to be accessed via a control keypad. The controls
are communicated with a host computer through a USB port.
[0121] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasound console includes a
USB device and USB Driver which is implemented with a FTDI USB245M
controller chip, for example. This integrated chip is simple as it
can be integrated into the console without requiring a custom
device driver. The USB Console uses the FTDI supplied dynamic link
library (DLL) device driver in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0122] The console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is made up of at least four types of hardware
functions: buttons, potentiometers, trackball, and LEDs. The
buttons are momentary switches. The architecture in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for 128
buttons. The potentiometers are either linear slide potentiometers
for time gain control (TGC), or rotary dials for GAINs. Each
potentiometer can have a position reading between 0 and 255. A
digital potentiometer with clickers is considered to be a button,
not a potentiometer in the preferred embodiments. One embodiment
includes 11 potentiometers: 8 slide switches numbered from 0 to 7,
for TGC and three rotary dial potentiometers numbered 8 to 10.
[0123] In a preferred embodiment, a trackball is a stand-alone unit
which communicates with the host system via a PS/2 interface. The
trackball does not go through the USB interface.
[0124] In a preferred embodiment, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are
provided on the console and can be individually addressed to turn
on or off. A preferred embodiment has 8 LEDs, numbered from 0 to 7,
and the LEDs are located at the buttons #0 to 7 respectively.
[0125] A preferred embodiment includes a software interface
protocol from the console to a host system. When a button is
pressed or a potentiometer position is changed, a three byte
message is sent from the console to the host. Tables 1 and 2
illustrate, respectively, the message sent by using a button and a
potentiometer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Button Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Byte #1 0 Button number Byte #2 X X X X X X X X
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Potentiometer Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte #0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Byte #1 0 Potentiometer number Byte #2
Potentiometer position value
[0126] The host may send a "Query" command to the console, and the
console responds by sending Potentiometer Messages for every
potentiometer on the console in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Messages can be sent
back-to-back in a preferred embodiment.
[0127] A preferred embodiment also includes a software interface
protocol from a host system to a console. The host can send
messages to the console to turn LEDs on/off, or to query the
current readings of every potentiometer. Tables 3, 4 and 5 provide
the LED-On message, LED-Off message and a query message,
respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 LED-ON Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Byte #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Byte #2 0 LED number
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 LED-OFF Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Byte #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Byte #2 0 LED number
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Query Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Byte #1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Byte #2 0 X X X X X X X
[0128] FIG. 32 illustrates the USB console for remote key pad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It
is a hardware user interface and allows any ultrasound imaging
control function to be accessed via a "traditional" control key
pad. The control keys include, trackball with right and left enter
keys, dedicated Freeze/live key, dedicated Save key, 8 Slide
potentiometers each with a lateral movement to control the TGC
gain, dedicated overall B-mode gain control pot, dedicated overall
Color Flow Imaging gain control potentiometer, dedicated overall
Pulsed Wave Spectral Doppler gain control pot, dedicated B-mode
selection key, dedicated Power Doppler-mode selection key,
dedicated Color Flowing Imaging-mode selection key, dedicated
Pulsed Wave Spectral Doppler selection key, dedicated M-mode
selection key, and dedicated Triplex selection key. An LED is
provided on each mode selection key. Once a mode is selected by a
user, the selected mode-control key lights up.
[0129] The basic module system of the present invention is an
external peripheral 16,26 to a personal computer as shown generally
in FIGS. 1-3 or a basic system configuration of the system pairs it
with an off-the-shelf notebook computer with a firewire port. An
important advantage of this configuration is that the system gets
its power from the notebook computer via the single Firewire cable.
No additional power supply is needed. The combination of the
peripheral 16,26 and the notebook computer can both run on the
battery of the computer, making the system very portable.
[0130] The modular system can be structured as a transformable
system: a fully portable ultrasound system consisting of the
ultrasound module and a notebook computer in a single portable
suitcase, and which can be converted into a full feature cart
system for stationary use.
[0131] The suitcase configuration shown in FIGS. 33A-33F integrates
the ultrasound module and the notebook computer into a single
suitcase package. An off-the-shelf consumer notebook computer 1004
with control panel or keyboard 1008 and display 1006 is secured to
the suitcase using a low cost molded bracket shaped 1005 for the
particular notebook model. Alternate notebook computer models can
be used with a different molded bracket.
[0132] As seen in FIG. 33F, the ultrasound module 1018 is situated
in the base 1016 and base cover 1015 and top 1012. A handle 1002
can be extended from the housing base 1010 so that a user can carry
the system with one hand. The system can be connected to, or dock
with a console of a cart system seen in FIGS. 34A-34E this
embodiment of the invention utilizes a mobile cart system for use
in connection with a portable ultrasound imaging system.
[0133] The cart system 1100 uses a base assembly 1108 and a USB hub
1220. The base assembly can be connected to a docking bay 1222 that
receives the processor housing 1000.
[0134] A preferred embodiment of the docking bay system provides
electrical interface connections between the base assembly and the
processor Housing at docking connector 1205. The base assembly can
further include a control panel 1150 such that the user can control
certain operations of the ultrasound system using control elements
on the control panel 1150.
[0135] The cart configuration docks the suitcase module 1000 to a
cart 1100 with a full operator console 1118. Once docked, the cart
and the suitcase together forms a full feature roll-about system
that may have other peripherals added, such as printers and video
recorders. The docking mechanism is a simple, cable-less mating
connection, very much like the desk top docking station for a
notebook computer. This easy docking scheme allows the user to
quickly attach or detach the suitcase to convert the system between
stationary use(cart), and portable use.
[0136] The user console 1118 on the cart is designed with a USB
interface. The electronics on the console gets its power from the
USB bus, eliminating the need of additional power source. The user
console is attached to the notebook computer via the USB port of
the notebook computer, routed through the docking connector of the
suitcase.
[0137] An alternate design of the user console 1118 duplicates the
cart base console design in a smaller portable console with the
same USB interface. This portable console can be plugged into the
suitcase without the cart.
[0138] With a USB powered console, the cart system can operate
solely on notebook computer battery without the need for being
connected to the wall AC power outlet, or, when the cart system is
running on wall AC power, it can continue to operate during power
outage.
[0139] The cart system duplicates many of the notebook computer
peripheral ports so that the cart system has as much features as a
full blown computer, such as network connection and printer
ports.
[0140] In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the
principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be
understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.
For example, the steps of the flow diagrams may be taken in
sequences other than those described, and more or fewer elements
may be used in the block diagrams. While various elements of the
preferred embodiments have been described as being implemented in
software, other embodiments in hardware or firmware implementations
may alternatively be used, and vice-versa.
[0141] It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
that methods involved in the system and method for determining and
controlling contamination may be embodied in a computer program
product that includes a computer usable medium. For example, such a
computer usable medium can include a readable memory device, such
as, a hard drive device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a computer
diskette, having computer readable program code segments stored
thereon. The computer readable medium can also include a
communications or transmission medium, such as, a bus or a
communications link, either optical, wired, or wireless having
program code segments carried thereon as digital or analog data
signals.
[0142] The claims should not be read as limited to the described
order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all
embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following
claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.
* * * * *